Moving Basket Toss

In groups of five, one student holds a bucket and moves slowly inside a large circle while classmates try to toss bean bags into it from outside. The activity builds throwing at a moving target, adjusting the throw's path, and teamwork between thrower and catcher.

How to play

1. Mark five areas: in each one, a circle about 10 feet across made of hoops or chalk and a line around it 6 feet away to throw from (2 min).
2. In each area, one student, the "basket," holds a bucket with both hands inside the circle; the other four stand behind the line with 3 bean bags each.
3. Throwers toss underhand while the basket walks side to side, helping the bean bags land in the bucket (2 min).
4. Count the bean bags that go in; when they're gone, collect them and switch baskets; each turn lasts a minute and a half (8 min).
5. Final round: the basket no longer helps and keeps moving, and the group tries to beat its best score (3 min).

Rules

• Toss underhand only, from behind the line.
• The basket walks and always stays inside the circle.
• Never toss at the face: aim at the bucket, held at waist height.
• No one goes in to collect until the group has tossed all its bean bags.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student plays basket from a wheelchair or throws from a closer line.
• Autism: being the basket is optional, and the student may stay a thrower the whole time.
• Advanced students: they toss with the non-dominant hand or from a farther line.

Learning goals

• Toss underhand at a moving target.
• Adjust force and direction to where the bucket will be.
• Work with the basket partner to score points.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bean bags: 60
• buckets: 5
• hoops: 30

Teacher tip

Bean bags work best because they don't roll or bounce out; balls tend to pop out of the bucket. Remind the basket to move slowly: the goal is to help tosses go in, not to dodge them.

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